This morning, I was putting Dougie, our almost two-year old tri-color Collie, through his paces in our kitchen. This is merely another way of sayin' that I was asking him to sit, bow, fetch a toy, etc., all the "tricks" he's been taught.

Watching him respond unerringly to my commands, I was so impressed with his abilities and retention of everything he'd been taught that I mentioned to my bride, who was also in the kitchen, that she should teach him some new tricks.

Without batting an eye, she said, "You know, that's a good idea!"

Turning around to Dougie, she said, "Dougie, go get the vaccuum!"

Here's Dougie carrying around his Dora the Explorer ball: